What's Happening?
The New Mexico legislature has passed House Joint Memorial 3, which calls for the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (NMEIB) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to report on the implementation of the 2025 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl
Substances (PFAS) Protection Act. The memorial requests an evaluation of the public health, environmental, and economic risks associated with exemptions in the Act, particularly concerning fluoropolymers. The Act currently exempts certain products containing intentionally added PFAS from phaseout and prohibition, based on limited scientific literature. The NMED is tasked with providing recommendations on whether these exemptions should be continued, modified, or removed. Preliminary findings are to be presented to legislative committees by December 1, 2026, with a final report due by August 1, 2027.
Why It's Important?
This legislative action underscores the growing concern over PFAS, often referred to as 'forever chemicals' due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. The review could lead to stricter regulations on products containing fluoropolymers, impacting manufacturers and consumers. If exemptions are removed or modified, companies may face increased compliance costs and changes in product formulations. This could also influence consumer safety and environmental protection efforts. The outcome of this review could set a precedent for other states considering similar measures, highlighting the balance between industrial interests and public health.
What's Next?
The NMED will conduct a comprehensive review and report its findings, which could lead to legislative changes in the PFAS Act. Stakeholders, including manufacturers and environmental groups, will likely engage in discussions and lobbying efforts to influence the outcome. The findings could prompt other states to reevaluate their own PFAS regulations, potentially leading to a broader national conversation on chemical safety and environmental standards.
